DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Cincinnati
Blue Demons Stumble in BIG EAST Opener
12/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Dec. 28, 2010
CINCINNATI - DePaul opened the BIG EAST season with a 76-60 loss at Cincinnati on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Arena. Cleveland Melvin scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Blue Demons while Tony Freeland added 11 points.
DePaul (6-7, 0-1 BIG EAST) led early by a 6-3 margin before the Bearcats reeled off a 17-4 run to take command of the game. A Dion Dixon free throw with 8:54 left gave Cincinnati a 20-10 advantage that would grow to 40-21 at halftime.
The second half saw DePaul outscore Cincinnati, 39-36, but the Blue Demons never got closer than 14 points. After shooting just .281 from the field in the first half, DePaul shot .500 from the field in the second half.
Melvin added a career-high eight rebounds and bettered his previous career scoring best by a point to lead DePaul. Freeland also pulled down eight boards and Jeremiah Kelly added nine points.
Cincinnati (13-0, 1-0 BIG EAST) was led by 20 points from Larry Davis off the bench. Four Bearcats reached double-figures during the game.
